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The International Civil Aviation Organization identified multiple deficiencies at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport and within Lebanon’s broader aviation oversight during a July technical mission, according to a report summary obtained by Reuters. Two senior industry officials familiar with the document told the news agency that the findings are expected to delay any resumption of direct US service despite the recent presidential action. The airport lacks an up-to-date emergency plan and its conditional certification has expired while the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority does not have enough qualified inspectors for air traffic control licensing nor a fully independent aircraft accident investigation unit.
Trump announced plans to revive the routes in July after meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House and followed up by signing an order last month that reverses the four-decade ban first imposed after the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847. The Lebanese embassy in Washington described the step as a significant first step toward restoring air links but noted that the US Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration must still perform their own safety reviews before flights can begin. The ban originated with the incident in which the aircraft was diverted to Beirut during Lebanon’s civil war resulting in the death of a US Navy sailor after a lengthy standoff.
The ICAO summary sent to Lebanese officials in September described the situation as urgent. “This is a serious and time-critical matter that must be addressed immediately to preserve the airport’s operational status” the document stated. Lebanon’s Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny said the country had already flagged many of the same problems internally and had begun corrective measures even though recent regional conflict slowed implementation.
Rasamny added that certification work at the airport started on Saturday with conditional approval expected from the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority in the coming days. “Most of the issues highlighted in the report had already been identified by the LCAA and corrective action had already been initiated” he stated in response to the findings. The complications arise as Washington continues to back Aoun in efforts to strengthen state institutions including disarming Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport remains Lebanon’s only international gateway and has struggled with infrastructure upgrades amid years of political and economic instability according to assessments from regional aviation observers. The Trump order specifically revoked four previous presidential determinations issued between 1985 and 2007 that had barred US carriers from operating direct routes. Industry representatives have indicated that full service restoration could still require additional bilateral negotiations on security protocols and updated aviation agreements.
The Reuters report noted that the ICAO mission had been requested by Lebanese authorities themselves as they seek to align with international standards. Lebanese officials have emphasized ongoing cooperation with global partners to resolve the listed shortcomings in the shortest possible timeframe. Further technical assessments by American agencies are expected to incorporate the UN findings as part of the overall approval process for any future flights.
